The importance of one’s ancestors notwithstanding, the elaborate genealogies of the Hebrews are rather overwhelming for receptors in Central Africa. This is especially true among those peoples, like the Tonga, who do not have a strong royal institution, and hence have no associated tradition of “remembering” departed chiefs. Only outstanding individuals, usually with regard to their magical-supernatural powers, find a place in formal recitations, such as in a prayer for rain.

Source: Wendland 1987, p. 185.